Residents
can attend the launch party Feb. 2 to help decide what trees and plants
will go into the orchard. They’ll also brainstorm other community uses
for the site.

The
nonprofit Portland Fruit Tree Project generally harvests fruit from
existing trees, fruit that would normally fall and go to waste. Three
years ago, it began planting new orchards. Today, it runs orchards in
the Sabin, Brentwood-Darlington and King neighborhoods. This will be its
first in North Portland.

The
site, which Home Forward leases from Union Pacific railroad, is half an acre, but
the scope of the North Portland orchard isn’t set yet. Masterson said
starting small has proved more do-able in the other orchards.

If you want to join the group, contact Spencer Masterson at The Fruit Tree Project, 503-284-6106 or spencer@portlandfruit.org.